Thursday 9th February...
Linda - Somehow it seems that I have turned into an OAP overnight, and I am no longer 50 something. On my Birthday Eve, my young grandson Isaac reminded me that I was in fact 59, not 50 something 😂 😂
Question: So how do you celebrate your 60th Birthday?
Answer: Don't act your age. Go on a Zipline Adventure day out of course.
I wouldn't call myself an adrenaline junkie, but I've always loved the thrill of amusement parks, roller coasters, fairground rides, that sort of thing. So a zipline experience was right up my street.
Happy Birthday Morning to me
Dean hired a car for the day and we travelled about 50 miles up the coast to Goynuk Canyon. It's not a place many people seem to have heard of around here, but we've noticed the tourist signs a couple of times whilst driving to and from Antalya.
It was a cold morning again, but by the time we had picked up the car and were on our way the sun was shining and it was becoming a beautiful day. Along the route we caught fabulous views of snow covered Mount Tahtali. There's actually a cable car that goes right to the top, but maybe that will be on the cards for another day. We can actually see Mount Tahtali from the marina too.
Mount Tahtali
The journey is quite spectacular and you could really be anywhere in the world if you didn't know you were in Turkey. It's also a ski resort too. We reached the town of Goynuk, stopping in the small town for Birthday coffee and cake before we headed to the canyon. The cafe was warm and welcoming, and we sat right next to the old boiler with kettles heating on top of it.
The best cake I've tasted in Turkey
The boiler and kettle pots
Only 10 minutes to the canyon entrance, but we crossed the river bridge first, it was a spectacular view looking northwards.
At the entrance you pay up front for the zipwire. It was quite reasonably priced we thought. There were peacocks roaming freely, not a bit bothered about us walking by. Also there were a few scary wooden scupltures dotted around.
I'm ready for the fun to begin
Cafe area near the peacocks
Here's one now
Scary sculptures
Dean challenges this big scary beast to a duel
Approaching the zipwire area
Dean goes first
Yee Haaa....
Crossing back over the canyon to the second zipwire
Scrambling over the rocks now
Well wrapped up, but we're not cold, the sun's out
Not far now to the canyon proper
This is as far as we can get
The canyon proper is just around this next rock. We can't see it from here, but in the summertime you can go on a canyon safari, wading through the canyon with a tour guide. They also do boat tours. Today there is no-one around except us, so we sit on a big rock to enjoy our picnic lunch in the beautiful scenic surroundings.
Can't get around this pretty
waterfalled corner without a tour guide
and a hard hat!
Trying to peek anyway
Climbing over rocks on the way back
Cafe closed for winter
Dean records a 'Gavin Action Video'
standing on the suspension bridge
Returning over the canyon on the second suspension bridge
Super views as we cross
Peacock display waiting for us
Very beautiful birds
After leaving the canyon we drove through the tourist areas of Goynuk. We were astonished to see superbly posh hotels, one hotel was even in the shape of a huge ship! I never knew there was so much here.
Having a few hours of daylight left, we took the opportunity to visit Olympos Antik Kenti (ancient city). It's not a huge place but quite interesting to see, and we had to drive through a stream to get to it too!
First glimpse of ancient Olympos
Not far from the sea,
ruins on the opposite side of the river
Gathering information
Stony beach, silted up at the river mouth
Good shelter for the ducks
Sarcophagus just about in place, still
The usual sort of thing
Stopping for sheep and lambs to cross
on the way home
We drop the car off and return to Thesee to find that I've got a flower bouquet delivery from all my lovely family at home.
What a wonderful Birthday, Part 1
Part 2 celebration in a few weeks time
💖
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